A high class prostitute and an eminent psychoanalyst discover that they share many things in common...

Margaret: David:

Special Treatment

Rated MA

Review by Margaret Pomeranz

Parallels are drawn between the world of psychiatrists and that of prostitutes in a new French film SPECIAL TREATMENT. It stars Isabelle Huppert as Alice Bergerac, a seemingly untroubled call girl who specializes in catering for festishes. And then there's Xavier Demestre, BOULI LANNERS, a psychoanalyst who seems to be in a very troubled state. Both have weird clients. It's inevitable they meet, he because he has just separated from his wife and she because she needs a new client so she buy a chandelier she fancies.

In fact Alice is more troubled that she at first seems, she asks Xavier to recommend a colleague for her to see. He's Pierre Cassagne, RICHARD DEBUISNE, who co-wrote the screenplay with director Jeanne Labrune.

I've never been a big fan of Isabelle Huppert but I think she's fabulous in this. All the performances are solid. The film sets up a really interesting premise, both Xavier and Alice are in the business they're in so that they can buy objects, beautiful objects. An 18th century angel is a motif in the film. But the screenplay fails to develop in an interesting way. I was aware of a certain feeling of trepidation about two thirds of the way through that I didn't want it to let me down, but in fact the resolution is a letdown. However, for much of Special Treatment I was absorbed.

Further comments

MARGARET: David.

DAVID: Well, I agree absolutely with you on this one, Margaret. It's a rather strange...

MARGARET: Finally.

DAVID: Yes. It's a strange concept equating psychoanalysis with prostitution, which is what basically the film is doing and...

MARGARET: Well, even that scene where she's quoting rates for the half hour.

DAVID: Yes. Yes, that's right.

MARGARET: It's what psychiatrists do, I guess.

DAVID: Exactly. It's doing it all the way through and so it's interesting and I was intrigued by the film but like you I wasn't really happy with the direction it goes off into eventually, which is rather more conventional, I think, than it sets up.

MARGARET: Mm.

DAVID: And I do think the performance is good. I am a fan of Isabel Huppert and I think she's fine in this. So I think it's an interesting film but in the end a sort of strangely unresolved one somehow and I sort of enjoyed watching it but it left me feeling a bit like nothing much really.

MARGARET: Yes. It's a bit of a disappointment but for a lot of its length it is actually very engaging.

Comments (6)

Wolf :

08 Feb 2012 9:03:25am

((Special Treatment))[[8]]I don't believe this is a film that finds parallels between psychoanalysis and prostitution. It used those 2 careers to show the human condition. It shows that what brings satisfaction in one's life is not career, but caring for each other. That giving of ourselves to each other is what matters. That we all, are in fact, beautiful angels. If we could only see it. This was what Isabelle's final scene was telling us. She looked into our eyes to let us know, you also can and will be happy if you understand.

Leigh :

20 Nov 2011 10:54:39am

((Special Treatment))[[6]]I absolutely agree with Margaret & David. Writer & Director Jeanne Labrune has penned a screenplay that builds up curiosity and is easily entertaining. It is very hard to predict which direction this film will take as there are several to choose from. And as Special Treatment's session heads toward its close, you really do get that feeling of trepidation Jeanne Labrune isn't sure which turn to take. The finale is somewhat underwhelming and personally, I wish a slightly darker comical tone had remained in tact rather than the drama overtones that come into play.

Leigh :

19 Nov 2011 9:31:31am

((Special Treatment))[[6]]Yes, I agree with Margaret & David. Writer & Director Jeanne Labrune has established a curious and comical set up that has potential to spiral in several directions. The journey there is an entertaining and rather unpredictable one, yet not as darkly comical as it first appeared. And like Margaret mentioned, a feeling of trepidation arouses toward the end of the film, you really notice that Jeanne Labrune can see numerous endings in sight, but is unsure which turn to take. All I said in the final scene was 'Please don't end here'. An underwhelming finish to a good film.

Jose :

18 Jul 2011 10:43:05am

((Special Treatment))[[7]]Good movie, very interesting premise. Perhaps the ending is a bit of a letdown, but it does not affect the overall experience. The first part of the movie is just terrific, a pleasure to watch. The parallels of the prostitute and the Psychiatrist preparing to receive their first client/patient is pure pleasure. And then the parallels between the clients/patients is plain terrific. Very good acting, especially by Hupert. There is no cinema like the French. Yes, they do have their share of poor quality, but overall is a very rewarding experience. Good movie.